why are cop-killers worse than regular killers?

[ichy]

The reason that cop-killing is an especially serious crime is that it's an assault against the foundations of law & order. It's not because the individual police officer's life is worth more than mine or yours.

Re: the police, I don't buy into this nonsense of all cops being heroes but I do think it's a tough job that deserves respect. The physical danger isn't that huge, however dealing with the dregs of society all day long is something that most of us couldn't do. I have a friend who's a cop in Washington DC, and he says it's not a fear of getting shot or anything like that that gets to him, it's dealing with crap like mentally ill crackheads shitting in the back of your car day after day that wears you down.

Also, while I respect good cops I also have a special hatred for police officers who are corrupt or act like they're above the law. IMO guys like the NYPD officers who planted drugs on suspects should spend the next few decades in prison.

 

[Ninjahedge]

@itch:

Good cops require respect. they earned it.

All cops do not, just because you don a badge does not make you a better person. many things in life are earned and respect is one of them.

 

[Jeeebus]

@itch:

Good cops require respect. they earned it.

All cops do not, just because you don a badge does not make you a better person. many things in life are earned and respect is one of them.

So if you get pulled over for speeding or if a cop rings your door bell to see if you heard some noise when a neighbor was being robbed... you should just act like an asshole to him until he has earned your respect?

How exactly do cops 'earn' your respect?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Are you a good cop, or a bad cop?

 

[actuarial]

It is a difficult thing to rate in absolutes.

DELIBERATELY attacking a cop is worse than going after someone at random, but once they are dead, the offense is equitable and should be treated as such.....

It is kind of like crime vs. hate crime. I know that there is a lot to be said about racism in the US, but somehow it being "better" to beat a white man (or a black man without insulting him) than to racially insult and beat a man is kinda weird.....

"I beat a man almost to death, but he was the same race and religion as I was, so I guess that was OK...."

That's quite the false equivalency you presented there. No one would end that line with "so I guess that was OK...." Beating some nearly to death is a serious crime whether race was involved or not.

Motive has always been a factor in terms of punishment severity or even what crime you're charged with. I personally would consider "because they were born with a certain skin colour" as a pretty despicable motive.

 

[Ninjahedge]

So if you get pulled over for speeding or if a cop rings your door bell to see if you heard some noise when a neighbor was being robbed... you should just act like an asshole to him until he has earned your respect?

Only if you are an asshole.

How exactly do cops 'earn' your respect?

By doing their duty in a professional manner. By acknowledging that their duty is to "Serve and Protect" not dominate and command.

There are many cops I have seen handle tense situations extremely patiently and well. Others are more to happy to baton/taser/manhandle their way through it.

 

[Ninjahedge]

That's quite the false equivalency you presented there. No one would end that line with "so I guess that was OK...." Beating some nearly to death is a serious crime whether race was involved or not.

The point being, how is it worse if you do it for religious reasons?

Motive has always been a factor in terms of punishment severity or even what crime you're charged with. I personally would consider "because they were born with a certain skin colour" as a pretty despicable motive.

Here's the catch. If you hate someone and beat them, how is it worse if you hate them because of their heritage? It is a very sticky subject. I agree "hate crimes" are repugnant, but no matter what the reason. beating someone should not be "ranked" based on why you did it (aside from the obvious. Provocation, self defense, wearing a Justin Beeber T-shirt).

Somehow making the punishment worse for something done for skin color does not make the scales balanced again.

 

[jhansman]

Because cops are better people than ordinary citizens.

Oh, if only this were true. I don't envy them their job, but so many do it so poorly so often.

 

[Ichinisan]

Also, while I respect good cops I also have a special hatred for police officers who are corrupt or act like they're above the law. IMO guys like the NYPD officers who planted drugs on suspects should spend the next few decades in prison.

This.

 

[ioni]

Most people with a chip on their shoulder against cops have one because they were busted doing something illegal.

Or they've visited youtube.

 

[ShawnD1]

Killing cops takes a special kind of crazy. It means they refuse to be taken alive and there is no safe way to apprehend them.

 

[Scouzer]

Because they kill public servants who put themselves in danger to protect the rest of us.

Exactly. No guarantees about a cop's integrity or anything else, but this part is for sure.

 

[marvdmartian]

Why is someone who kills a relative stranger not as bad as someone who kills one of your family members?

That's the way cops feel about each other, for the most part. They're a family. Kill one of them, and the rest of the family takes it personal.